2024 Luxury Carnival Brazil and Luxury Galapagos Cruise

Arrival in Rio. Reception and transfer to your hotel, the Copacabana Palace Hotel.

After breakfast, a half day private visit of the “marvelous city” including a sightseeing tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain. A two-stage cable car takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain where you will enjoy a splendid view of Rio, Copacabana Beach, and Guanabara Bay. Return to your hotel.
A visit to one of the Samba schools. This is dependent on availaiblity as they are all preparing for the Carnival.

Meals: B

After breakfast, a private half day visit to Corcovado, the mountain home to the world famous, Christo de Redentor statue for a magnificent 360° panoramic view of Rio. After, a trip to the Tijuca forest, a luxuriant tropical forest only minutes away from this huge metropolis. The Tijuca Forest is considered the largest urban forest in the world. It has 330 square kms of preserved Mata Atlântica (Tropical Forest), the highest mountaintops of Rio, waterfalls and hidden caves. Return to your hotel.

Meals: B

Free morning. Tonight is "The Parade'', the highlight of the Rio Carnival. This must-see show has made Rio de Janeiro the Carnival capital of the world. The Carnival world revolves around these two nights. The samba schools belonging to this group are especially magnificent and sumptuous. Ticket- Frisas 8 or 9A. The two nights are similar in terms of set-up, 6 of the best 12 samba schools march on both Sunday and Monday. Doors open at 17:00, opening ceremony at 20:00, parades start at 21:00.
Roundtrip transfers included.

Meals: B

Morning at leisure. Return for the second Parade of the Samba Schools.
Ticket- Frisas 8 or 9A. Roundtrip transfers included.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Iguazu. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel, the Belmond Das Cataratas. Free day.

Meals: B

After breakfast, a private half day excursion to the Brazilian side of the falls, the fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Iguazu falls, the most voluminous falls in the world and more than three times the width of the Niagara Falls. The falls lie on the three borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Meals: B

After breakfast, we cross the border for a full day excursion. Ride on the Great Aventura, zodiac boats which go nearly under the falls themselves. Transfer to your hotel on the Argentinean side, the Sheraton.

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires and connect with your flight to Quito via Lima. Arrive to Quito and transfer to your hotel, the Casa Gangotena. Free afternoon at leisure.

Meals: B

After breakfast, with boarding passes in hand, you will be driven to the airport for your quick-check-in and flight to Baltra airport, where you will clear immigration and be met by your guide, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. A motorized dinghy will then transfer you to the M/V Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard.
A visit to North Seymour is a perfect introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Although the island is characterized by arid vegetation, fauna abounds and you will soon find yourself surrounded by sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more.

Meals: B , L & D

A visit to South Plaza Island which is home to a large opuntia cactus forest, land iguanas and one of the largest sea lion colonies in the central region of the archipelago. You will also be able to see Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and other kinds of sea birds, as well as different types of finches.
Continue to Santa Fe where during the hike you will see some of Santa Fe's endemic species, including the Galapagos hawk, the Galapagos snake, various finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. Playful sea lions usually join swimmers and kayakers during beach time.

Meals: B , L & D

Pitt Point is located on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. You will hike up to a plateau where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is definitely worth the effort. The power hike is followed by kayaking, snorkeling or a dinghy ride.
At Cerro Brujo, in addition to the magnificent scenery, there is wonderful swimming and a dinghy ride at this visitor site. Cerro Brujo's spectacular beach is home to a large colony of sea lions, and it is famous for being the first place in the archipelago that Charles Darwin visited.

Meals: B, L & D

Post Office Bay is home to a unique “post office” inspired by 18th century pirates and buccaneers who used a wooden barrel as an unofficial mailbox. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. The Baroness' Viewing Point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana.
After snorkeling at Champion Islet, you will visit Cormorant Point, where there is a beautiful lagoon that is home to flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks. A great site for bird-watching.

Meals: B, L & D

Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. We will enter a sheltered cove that is only accessible by dinghy - a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles, rays and herons.
Moreno Point, which is southwest of Elizabeth Bay, is famous for its large population of seabirds. You'll be able to get close to them on a dinghy ride along the cliffs of the island, or on a hike through lava rock that leads to tide pools and mangroves teeming with life. You will also have time for snorkeling.

Meals: B, L & D

On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the extensive efforts underway to preserve the Galapagos Islands. You will also encounter the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands' namesake. After the visit we will transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland to connect with your international flight home.

Meals: B